NW Harris County bar owner starts non-profit

Published 11:00 pm, Monday, August 6, 2012

The FROGS board discusses ways to raise money for their new non-profit. A golf tournament is being planned for later in the year, but no date has been set yet.

The FROGS board discusses ways to raise money for their new non-profit. A golf tournament is being planned for later in the year, but no date has been set yet.

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Crazy Frogs co-owner Gwen Parsons and an employee arranges a mannequin in Crazy 4 Bling, a new shop attached to the bar Parsons and Price are running.

Crazy Frogs co-owner Gwen Parsons and an employee arranges a mannequin in Crazy 4 Bling, a new shop attached to the bar Parsons and Price are running.

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Patrons check out Crazy Frogs new look.

Patrons check out Crazy Frogs new look.

NW Harris County bar owner starts non-profit

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Mary Price has hosted many benefits in her 13 years as owner of Crazy Frogs Saloon, but recently she wanted to do something more.

Price and a group of friends decided to start Friends Reaching Out Giving Support or FROGS to help needy families in the community.

“Anybody who is desperate can come to us,” said Price.

As an established bar in the community, Crazy Frogs regularly attracts families wanting to host fundraisers. Price plans to raise money by hosting benefits at the bar and golf tournaments, which always attract a crowd, she said.

Crazy Frogs has been a fixture in the northwest for years. Price owns two Crazy Frogs locations near Willowbrook Mall and another location off 290 in Cypress. She also owned a location near I-45 and FM 1960, but sold it. The secret to her success has been keeping up a good reputation and keeping her patrons entertained, she said.

Three years ago, Price made her long time bartender Gwen Parson’s co-owner. Now the two are focusing on improving the Crazy Frogs Willowbrook location with a new building in the same strip center.

“We’ve gotten a lot of exposure being here and also through word of mouth,” said Parson. “We’ve got our regulars who have been with us since the beginning and we are also expanding our clientele.”

The new location opened just three months ago in the Willowbrook Mall strip center, the bar’s third move in thirteen years. The location boasts a large patio with a gazebo, updated décor, brand new flat screen TVs and Crazy 4 Bling, a new clothing store.

“The contractor who built this bar would sit up here every night after all his subcontractors left and would hand-painted every single [light],” said Parsons. “He specializes in building bars and put so much thought into the colors he picked out to make a woman’s complexion look good.”

The updates paid off. Price said new people are finding their way into Crazy Frogs every day.

“We’re doing what works for us and it’s showing,” said Parsons. “Lasting in this business, says a lot.”

Crazy Frogs has locations at 17776 State Highway 249 and 13703 West Road.